retina displayhttp://www.maclife.com/taxonomy/term/5465/all
en13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display (early 2015) Reviewhttp://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/13-inch-macbook-pro-with-retina-display-early-2015-review
<!--paging_filter--><p>Apple has received a lot of criticism over the years for describing its products as “magical,” or some variant of it, and it probably is fair to say that we should be impressed by very smart technological advances for what they are — ingenious constructions — rather than feeling the need to couch them in terms of mysticism or suggesting that the impossible has been achieved (when what has been achieved was, evidently, possible).</p><p>The only problem is that Apple, more than any other company, tends to leave you poking at one of its latest devices, shaking your head and muttering “witchcraft” under your breath. Which is exactly what happens with the Force Touch trackpad in the new 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro.</p><p>Now, some might say that a new trackpad isn’t much of an upgrade for a laptop. The new 13-inch Retina Pro also has an updated processor to boast of, along with improved graphics. That’s it for changes — but that’s all it needs. It was already one of Apple’s best machines, offering more than enough speed for most people along with a Retina screen for a good price.</p><p><img src="/files/u332541/2015/06/macbookpro13in-2015-620.jpg" /></p><p>The new processor is still an Intel dual-core CPU, but is from its newest generation of chips, which consume less power. It runs at 2.7GHz in the entry-level machine we have here, which is a small bump from the 2.6GHz it was in previous equivalent model. The graphics chip is an integrated Intel Iris GPU, again just like the previous model, though here we were expecting more improvement — Intel is still aiming to make big strides in this area.</p><p>We’ll come to what kind of performance improvements those bring later, but the Force Touch trackpad is what you’ll play with most at first, because it’s a fascinating thing. Old trackpads have a hinge at the back, and when you click the trackpad, you push down on the hinge. The pad physically moves. On the new trackpad, it doesn’t move — yet it feels as if it clicks beneath your fingers. There’s a small electromagnetic motor inside, and when it detects the pressure of your finger, the motor creates a click. It’s such a small thing — after all, it just replicates how things used to work — but when you know that feeling of clicking is “fake”, it leaves you smiling. Witchcraft.</p><p>While that’s all cool, it’s not exactly a useful a change in itself. But the Force Touch trackpad adds extra functionality over the old style of trackpad. You’ve still got multi-touch gestures, but it’s also now pressure sensitive, capable of registering presses of different strengths. If you click on something, then keep pressing harder (you can adjust how hard in System Preferences, pleasingly), you get a second click from the trackpad, and something different will happen – replacing the long click of old in some places, such as the Dock. In QuickTime Player, the harder you press, the faster the fast-forward option goes. In Preview, when signing your name, it can detect your drawing pressure. It’s another way of interacting, and it’s a nice addition, but we do think Apple could have implemented it better. The main issue is that, though you can make use of it in all sorts of places around OS X, it’s not always obvious what it will do. For example, “Force click” (in Apple’s parlance) on a file’s icon and it opens it in Quick Look, but Force click on the file’s name and it makes the name editable. These two things don’t share any common factor (such as a keyboard shortcut), yet you can invoke them both by moving the cursor just a few pixels on one file. There’s no mental map you can make to predict what the new interaction will do in what situation until you try it and learn it. Hardly the end of the world, but we like obviousness and consistency in interfaces as a rule.</p><p>Actually, some of Force Touch’s most impressive use is in pure feedback, such as in iMovie. When a clip snaps to a point on the timeline, for example, you get a jolt from the trackpad to indicate that it has snapped. It’s a lovely little touch, and we hope many developers will make use of it and the pressure sensitivity.</p><p>So what about those few other changes? The processor is indeed a small difference, offering an improvement of less than 10 percent in our Cinebench benchmarks, and even less in our real-world video encoding tests — only about 3 percent. Still, its performance is pretty handy for all but the highest-end tasks (thanks in part to a solid 8GB of RAM), and it offers fantastic improvement in a different area: battery life. In our intensive video streaming test, the new machine lasted 6 hours and 45 minutes, hugely surpassing the older version’s 5 hours and 8 minutes. The 13-inch MacBook Air still takes home the trophy for battery life, as you’ll see on p66, but this is great for the Retina MacBook Pro, since it already offered good longevity under normal use anyway.</p><p>Sadly, the new Intel graphics haven’t delivered much of a performance improvement — or, really, any noticeable change at all over the old model in our Batman: Arkham City tests. But this means the machine is still capable, if not high-end, when it comes to graphics. At 1280x800, you can play Batman at its High settings comfortably, so most newer games should run fine with the visual fidelity lowered slightly. One advantage of the new graphics, though, is that 4K displays will work at 60Hz with this machine over DisplayPort. Apple isn’t officially supporting this at the moment, but it works.</p><p>And you’ve still got the fast SSD storage (even if 128GB is rather small for a “pro” machine) — in fact, our review unit offered much better performance in this area than last year’s model, though this is likely down to variations between component suppliers. There’s also plenty of ports, including two USB 3.0 and two Thunderbolt 2 connections, and, crucially, that Retina display. It’s bright, it’s clear, it offers vibrant colors and contrast, and it will spoil you for any screen that isn’t at least as sharp.</p><p><strong>The bottom line.</strong> Not be a big leap forward for the MacBook Pro but, if you’re looking at a Mac laptop now, this offers the best balance of power, features, portability and price — and it comes with that little extra touch of witchcraft.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Specs:</strong></span><br />2.7GHz Intel Core i5, 8GB memory, Intel Iris Graphics 6100</p><fieldset class="fieldgroup group-the-bottom-line"><legend>Review Synopsis</legend><div class="field field-type-text field-field-product">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Product:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display (early 2015)</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-company">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Company:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Apple </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-contact">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Contact:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://www.apple.com" target="_blank">www.apple.com</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-price">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Price:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
$1,299 (128GB); $1,499 (256GB); $1,799 (512GB) </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-requirements">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Requirements:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>N/A</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-positives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Positives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Force Touch trackpad is magic. Improved performance and battery life.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-negatives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Negatives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Low-end 128GB version doesn't offer much storage. What Force clicks do isn’t always clear.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/13-inch-macbook-pro-with-retina-display-early-2015-review#commentsReviewsapplelaptopmacbook proretina displayMacTue, 02 Jun 2015 18:30:11 +0000Matt Bolton21687 at http://www.maclife.comSpring Forward Event: Apple Reinvents Notebook with New 12-inch MacBookhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/spring_forward_event_apple_reinvents_notebook_new_12inch_macbook
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/spring_forward_12-inch_macbook_keys_620px.png" alt="12-inch MacBook keyboard" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>Apple CEO Tim Cook warmed the hearts and minds of many portable computer lovers by debuting a super-thin new MacBook during the Spring Forward event in San Francisco on Monday.<br /><br />"Can you even see it? I can't even feel it!" Cook exclaimed as he carried the reinvented MacBook onto the stage before handing the proceedings over to Apple senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Philip W. Schiller.<br /><br />Featuring a svelte new look that weighs in at only two pounds, with a frame only 13.1mm thin — a whopping 24 percent thinner than the current generation MacBook Air.<br /><br />Apple has also reworked the keyboard to match the thinner frame, with more precise, more accurate keys. The all-new, full-sized keyboard also includes an LED backlight for each key.<br /><br />Moving onto the display, the 12-inch MacBook features a Retina Display with a resolution of 2304 x 1440 pixels that consumes 30 percent less energy. The panel itself is an insanely thin 0.88mm thin, which Schiller described as the thinnest display ever used on a Mac.<br /><br />The trackpad has also been upgraded for the latest MacBook, with a new "force touch" feature that enables new, more accurate gestures. For example, pressing harder on an email address in the Mail application can pull up that location, or getting a preview of files while in the Finder.<br /><br />The interior of the new MacBook is no less impressive: Schiller noted that this is the first fanless model ever made by Apple, with a logic board 67 percent smaller than previous models. Powered by an Intel Core M processor, the notebook consumes a mere five watts of energy.<br /><br />Thanks to an additional 35 percent battery capacity, the MacBook is capable of iPad-style, all-day life, which Schiller claims equates to nine hours of wireless web browsing and 10 hours of iTunes movie playback.<br /><br />The 12-inch MacBook also includes 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connectivity, and exactly as rumored, a single USB-C port capable of USB, DisplayPort, AC power, HDMI, or VGA connections. The cable is only a third of the size of regular USB cables, and like Apple's own Lightning cable, is also reversible as well.<br /><br />Available in Silver, Space Grey, and Gold, the 12-inch MacBook will be available April 10, with a starting price of $1299 for 8GB RAM and 256GB SDD storage.<br /><br />The new MacBook joins the existing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lineup rather than replacing one of them. The current lineup will also be upgraded with fifth-generation Intel Core processors and Thunderbolt 2, and those upgrades will be available starting today.</p><p><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/spring_forward_event_apple_reinvents_notebook_new_12inch_macbook#commentsNews12-inchapple eventsBattery Lifefanlessforce touchlaptopsMacBooknotebooksPhil Schillerretina displaySpring ForwardMacMon, 09 Mar 2015 17:53:14 +0000J.R. Bookwalter21388 at http://www.maclife.comApple Daily: Intel CEO Says Apple Relations Are 'Strong;' Refurbished 5K iMacshttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_daily_intel_ceo_says_apple_relations_are_strong_refurbished_5k_imacs
<!--paging_filter--><p>In today's Apple Daily, Intel's CEO reveals that he isn't really fazed by all those rumors that Apple's going to start outfitting its Macs with ARM processors. And while we're on the topic of Macs with Intel processors, Apple has recently started selling refurbished 27-inch iMacs with Retina displays on its online store.</p><h3>Intel CEO Says Chipmaker's Relationship with Apple is 'Strong'</h3><p>One of the most persistent rumors that's been floating around lately revolves around Apple's supposed switch from Intel chips for Macs to custom-designed ARM chips, but Intel CEO Brian Krzanich doesn't see that happening.</p><p>Krzanich was on CNBC's <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/102344221" target="_blank">Squawk Box </a>to discuss his company and its disappointing Q1 sales, when he was asked about the rumors in question.</p><p><img src="/files/u334114/2015/01/brian.jpg" width="620" height="346" /></p><p>"Our relationship with Apple is strong and their products are great," he said. "Apple is always going to choose the supplier who can provide them the most amount of capability in innovation for them to build on, for them to innovate. They're a company based on innovation. Our job is to continue to deliver parts that have that capability to give them that, that are better than our competitors. And then they want to use our parts."</p><p>It'd be a dicey switch, particularly since so much of the current Intel-based software would suddenly be incompatible. Apple is rumored to have made ARM prototypes using the iMac, Mac mini, and a 13" notebook.</p><p>Last November, it was reported that Intel has <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/news/intels_android_subsidies_fight_ipad_have_reportedly_cost_it_7_billion?utm_source=Social&amp;utm_medium=Twitter&amp;utm_campaign=Owned" target="_blank">lost around $7 billion</a> in subsidies in an attempt to counter the shift to ARM chips at Apple and Microsoft.</p><h3>Apple Starts Selling Refurbished 27-Inch iMacs With Retina 5K Display</h3><p>If you've been wanting to get your hands on one of those fancy 27-Inch iMac with the Retina 5K display but didn't want to pay full price, now's your chance. As <a href="http://www.macg.co/mac/2015/01/limac-retina-arrive-sur-le-refurb-americain-86746" target="_blank">MacGeneration</a> first noticed, the Cupertino company recently started selling <a href="http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/imac/27" target="_blank">refurbished versions </a>on its online store.</p><p><img src="/files/u334114/2015/01/refurbished.png" width="620" height="269" /></p><p>The prices vary considerably. You have, for instance, the low-tier model available for $2119 that contains a 3.5GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of memory, and a 1TB Fusion Drive. Elsewhere, you can pick up a model with 16GB of memory and a 3TB Fusion Drive for $2,419, or a model with 16GB of memory and 512GB flash storage for $2,549 .</p><p>The units were the subject of many rumors for month, but Apple officially announced them at last October's<a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_event_imac_5k_retina_display_announced_available_2499" target="_blank"> media event</a>.</p><p><em>Follow this article's writer, <a href="https://twitter.com/LeifJohnson" target="_blank">Leif Johnson</a>, on Twitter.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_daily_intel_ceo_says_apple_relations_are_strong_refurbished_5k_imacs#commentsNews5KA-seriesARMBrian KrzanichchipsiMacIntelMacprocessorsRefurbishedretina displayFri, 16 Jan 2015 23:56:32 +0000Leif Johnson21200 at http://www.maclife.comReview: MacBook Pro with Retina display (13 inch, mid-2014)http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/review-macbook-pro-retina-display-13-inch-mid2014
<!--paging_filter--><p>The mid-2014 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display isn’t a huge leap forward — primarily a processor speed bump and a price drop. But this model, the entry-level release, also benefits from a memory increase. The previous entry-level Retina MacBook Pro had just 4GB of RAM, but this new one has 8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L onboard memory. The dual-core Intel Core i5 processor is retained, but it’s now 2.6GHz instead of 2.4GHz.</p><p>Being a Retina MacBook Pro, you can’t add more memory after purchase because the chips are soldered onto the motherboard, so a shift to 8GB is an excellent move. The price drop is another welcome change.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u332541/2014/12/2014macbookpro_620.png" width="620" height="459" /></p><p>But the real story here is what it’s done to the viability of the MacBook Air. At $1,299, it’s only a shade more expensive than the cheapest 13-inch Air, and here you’re getting a lot more notebook for your money. Both use dual-core Intel Core i5 processors, but with a clock speed of 2.6GHz, the Pro is almost twice as fast as the Air’s 1.4GHz CPU. Its 8GB of memory is double the 4GB offered by the entry-level Air, too. The Pro has a better graphics chipset, using Intel Iris Graphics instead of the Air’s Intel HD Graphics 5000, and, of course, it has that gorgeous Retina screen. A native resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels certainly puts the Air’s 1440 x 900 display in the shade.</p><p>The Air still has some advantages. At 1.35kg, it’s lighter than the Pro (1.57kg), but is 220 grams such a huge difference? Also, with an advertised 12 hours of wireless web surfing on a single charge, the Air beats the Pro (which offers nine hours of battery life). The Pro’s performance is still excellent in this respect, so if you have specific needs that prioritize lightness and battery life, you might consider the 13-inch MacBook Air. But for the majority of users, this MacBook offers much better value.</p><p><strong>The bottom line.</strong> A superb release that builds on the success of previous MacBook Pros, while dropping the price.</p><p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Specs</span></strong><br /><strong>Processor:</strong> 2.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5<br /><strong>RAM:</strong> 8GB&nbsp;<br /><strong>Speed:</strong> 1600MHz&nbsp;<br /><strong>Storage:</strong> 128GB PCIe-based flash memory</p><fieldset class="fieldgroup group-the-bottom-line"><legend>Review Synopsis</legend><div class="field field-type-text field-field-product">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Product:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>MacBook Pro with Retina display (13 inch, mid-2014)</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-company">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Company:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Apple, Inc. </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-contact">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Contact:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://www.apple.com" target="_blank">www.apple.com</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-price">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Price:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
$1,299 </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-requirements">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Requirements:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>N/A</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-positives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Positives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Doubles the RAM. Processor speed bump. Cheaper price.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-negatives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Negatives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Not a huge update over previous MBP.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/review-macbook-pro-retina-display-13-inch-mid2014#commentsReviewslaptopMacMacBookmacbook proMacBook Pro with Retina Displayretina displayMacTue, 02 Dec 2014 19:08:10 +0000Ian Osborne21016 at http://www.maclife.comMorning Report: iOS 8.0.1 Problem Explained, Office for Mac 2015, iOS 8 Adoption Riseshttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/morning_report_ios_801_problem_explained_office_mac_2015_ios_8_adoption_rises
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/office_for_mac_2015_leak_620px.png" alt="Office for Mac 2015 leaked slide" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>By next year, Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 will celebrate its fourth anniversary — an eternity in software years, but it apparently will take that long for a new 2015 edition to arrive, and we've got a few details on what to expect in our Wednesday Morning Report, which also includes an Apple apology for iOS 8.0.1 and the continued adoption of iOS 8 in general.</p><h3>Apple VP Greg Joswiak Blames iOS 8.0.1 Snafu on Distribution</h3><p>The iOS 8.0.1 update is likely to become legendary for being one of the few Apple software updates to temporarily brick devices — especially when the problem only affected those with shiny new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models. <a href="http://recode.net/2014/10/28/no-cheap-phones-or-cheap-macs-for-us-says-apples-greg-joswiak-video/" target="_blank">Re/code reported Tuesday</a> that the update itself may not have been to blame, however.<br /><br />"It wasn't the software itself, it was the way it was distributed," explained Greg Joswiak, the Apple VP in charge of iPhone marketing. "We're very sorry."<br /><br />Joswiak spoke yesterday at the Code/Mobile conference, where he also told hosts Walt Mossberg and Ina Fried that Apple's goal wasn't to built the cheapest products in the world, but rather the "best products with the best experience."<br /><br />"Maybe it is naïve, but we [believe] that if we make a better product and a better experience, that there will always be a healthy market for that," Joswiak elaborated. "And a healthy market doesn’t mean we have to be market-share leader."</p><h3>Office for Mac 2015 Screenshots Reveal Parity with Windows</h3><p><a href="http://www.theverge.com/2014/10/29/7088589/office-for-mac-2015-screenshots-leaked" target="_blank">The Verge today reported</a> that Microsoft appears poised to unleash an all-new version of Office for Mac in early 2015 — four long years after the current version. <a href="http://www.cnbeta.com/articles/340837.htm" target="_blank">According to internal slides leaked by CnBeta</a>, the user interface has been completely overhauled to better match the Windows version, with deeper integration for Microsoft services like OneDrive and SharePoint. The 2015 edition is also said to include Retina Display support and "a redesigned ribbon interface." There are some rumblings that Microsoft could soon offer a public preview of the new Office for Mac 2015, which will also be included with Office 365 subscriptions.</p><h3>iOS 8 Finally Passes Halfway Mark for User Adoption</h3><p>It took five and a half weeks, but iOS 8 appears to be on the rise, with <a href="https://developer.apple.com/support/appstore/" target="_blank">Apple's own developer support page</a> now touting a 52 percent install base as of Monday, October 27. That's a roughly four percent bump over the last two weeks, which not-so coincidentally is the same period when Apple released iOS 8.1, an update that squashed additional bugs and also enabled Apple Pay for iPhone 6 models.<br /><br />During Apple's October 16 media event, Apple CEO Tim Cook called attention to iOS 8's 48 percent adoption rate as of October 13, which was a modest increase from 46 percent just over two weeks earlier. Critics have blamed the slightly sluggish adoption of iOS 8 on early bugs that wound up getting a lot of attention from the media and bloggers. <br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="https://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p><em>(Image courtesy of CnBeta)</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/morning_report_ios_801_problem_explained_office_mac_2015_ios_8_adoption_rises#commentsNewsadoption ratesGreg JoswiakiOS 8.0.1iOS 8.1MicrosoftMorning ReportOffice 365Office for Macretina displaySoftware UpdatesiPhoneMacWed, 29 Oct 2014 12:35:04 +0000J.R. Bookwalter20859 at http://www.maclife.comApple Event: iMac with 5K Retina Display Announced; Available for $2499http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_event_imac_5k_retina_display_announced_available_2499
<!--paging_filter--><p>Following the updates for iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite, Apple CEO Tim Cook took the stage again to introduce the updates for the iPad. "The technology is jam packed in this incredibly thin and light package," he said, noting that the device is "everywhere" and that 225 million have been sold to date. "It's transforming the way we communicate," he added.</p><p>Phil Schiller remained on stage to discuss the changes to the Mac, noting that the Mac business has grown by 18 percent in year-over-year growth while the desktop industry as a whole has experience -1 percent growth. Before he jumped into the specifics, he quoted Joanna Stern of The Wall Street Journal as saying that "The MacBook Air is the best laptop ever made."</p><p><img src="/files/u334114/2014/10/mac.jpg" /></p><p><strong>Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/CNET/status/522813177437110273" target="_blank">Cnet</a></strong></p><p>As expected, the big announcement is the unveiling of the iMac with Retina display, which comes with a 27-inch screen and supports 5210 x 2880 pixels, all resulting in 14.7 million pixels. "There has never been a desktop display like this," Schiller said. Specifically, he said, it's called the Retina 5K display, and it supports seven times the number of pixels you'll find on an HD TV. It's thin, too, clocking in at only 5mm along the edge.</p><p>Schiller also outlined some of the additional tech behind the unit, such as a "timing controller," a low-power backlight, and Oxide TF. All that new tech allows the iMac with Retina display to use 30 percent less energy despite all those fancy, powerful specs. The new screen will allegedly allow you to edit videos "pixels for pixel" and still allow room for interface elements to edit the files.</p><p>After spending so much time focusing on the display, Schiller jumped into the specifics of the tech involved. It starts out with a 3.5GHz Intel i5 chip, although you can upgrade it to a 4GHz i7 chip. It runs with Radeon R9 graphics, and supports 8GB of RAM, Thunderbolt 2, and a 1TB fusion drive.</p><p>And for the price? Schiller noted that the device is available for only $2,499 even though some HD TVs with 4K displays tend to run over $3,000. Impressive, eh? The unit starts to ship today.</p><p>Schiller concluded his presentation with a few seconds devoted to the Mac mini, which is now available with faster processing speeds, Intel Iris graphics, and Thunderbolt 2. It's available for $499, and it, too, ships today.</p><p>Following Schiller's announcements, Cook took the stage again.</p><p>"This is our vision of personal technology, and we are just getting started," he said.</p><p><em>Follow this article's writer,<a href="https://twitter.com/LeifJohnson" target="_blank"> Leif Johnson</a>, on Twitter.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_event_imac_5k_retina_display_announced_available_2499#commentsNews5KApple EventiMacMacMac miniPhil Schillerretina displayThu, 16 Oct 2014 18:28:39 +0000Leif Johnson20797 at http://www.maclife.comMorning Report: Bono Apologizes to iTunes Users, 27-Inch Retina Mac This Year?http://www.maclife.com/article/news/morning_report_bono_apologizes_itunes_users_27inch_retina_mac_year
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/grids_620px.png" alt="Grids" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>If you're in the market for a new 27-inch iMac with a gorgeous new Retina Display, we may have some good news for you, courtesy of one analyst with a pretty good track record for such predictions. Our Wednesday Morning Report also includes an apology from U2 frontman Bono for pushing that free album on iTunes users, as well as a peek at a new Mac app for Instagram. Click, read, and enjoy!</p><h3>Analyst Predicts 27-Inch Retina iMac, Short Supply of iPad Air 2</h3><p><a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2014/10/15/ipad-air-2-supply-constrained/" target="_blank">MacRumors reported late Tuesday</a> that the iPad Air 2 model widely expected to launch at an Apple media event tomorrow may be hard to find at launch due to constrained shipments caused by the "poor yield rate of anti-reflective coating cover lens." As a result, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted Apple may only ship seven to nine million units of the refreshed tablet, a noticeable dip from last year's model. Apple is also apparently devoting less resources to a refreshed iPad mini, which Kuo blames on the rumored 12.9-inch iPad model rumored to make its debut next year.<br /><br />One highly anticipated product Kuo expects to launch by the end of 2014 is a 27-inch iMac with Retina Display, which could be introduced during the same Apple media event on Thursday morning where a final release date for OS X Yosemite is expected. Unfortunately, fans of the 21-inch iMac may have to wait until the second half of 2015 to see a Retina Display version of the smaller desktop model, citing the difficulty of developing high-resolution panels of two different sizes at the same time.</p><h3>Bono Says Sorry About Forcing That New U2 Album on You</h3><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153458076501686&amp;set=vb.5678046685&amp;type=2&amp;theater" target="_blank">Facebook posted an interview with the members of U2 on Tuesday</a>, where Bono and company answered questions from fans. During the nearly six-minute video, the subject inevitably turned to Apple's recent promotion of the band's new album "Songs of Innocence," which caused a bit of controversy after being automatically pushed to the devices of 500 million iTunes users following last month's iPhone 6 event.<br /><br />"Oops...um...I'm sorry about that," Bono apologized. "I had this beautiful idea and we got carried away with ourselves. Artists are prone to that kind of thing — drop of megalomania, touch of generosity, dash of self-promotion, and deep fear that these songs that we poured our life into over the last few years might not be heard. There's a lot of noise out there. I guess we got a little noisy ourselves to get through it."</p><h3>Grids Delivers Instagram Photos to Mac</h3><p>Tired of having your Instagram photos chained to mobile devices? ThinkTime Creations LLC announced Tuesday the release of <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/app/grids-present-instagram-photos/id916198600?ls=1&amp;mt=12" target="_blank">Grids</a>, a Mac App Store solution that presents Instagram images in a clean, adaptive user interface that works equally well as a window the size of a widget as it does in full screen. Priced at only $1.99 for a limited time, Grids allows Instagram users to adjust picture size, spacing, and background color in addition to the usual like, comment, follow, tag, and search functionality.<br /><br />One unique feature with Grids is the ability to bookmark Instagram users without actually having to follow them, in addition to locations, tags, or even individual photos without having to like them first. Users can also be notified when feed updates are available. One thing Grids can't do is actually upload photos to Instagram, but that's a limitation of all third-party apps. Grids is now available from the Mac App Store, but grab it quickly before the price goes up.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="https://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/morning_report_bono_apologizes_itunes_users_27inch_retina_mac_year#commentsNews27-inch iMacanalystsBonofree musicGridsinstagramipad air 2iTunesmac app storeMorning Reportretina displayU2iPadMacWed, 15 Oct 2014 12:26:48 +0000J.R. Bookwalter20784 at http://www.maclife.comThe Week's Hottest Apple News Stories, October 3http://www.maclife.com/article/news/weeks_hottest_apple_news_stories_october_3
<!--paging_filter--><p>We're still in the iOS 8 and iPhone honeymoon period when everything's coming up handsets and software updates. So let's take a look at a couple stories on that, and let's see what else is going on out there. Say, who here would like 27" jumbo inches of Retina Display? Yeah, that's what we're talking about.</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/weeks_hottest_apple_news_stories_october_3#commentsGalleryNewsapple playApple TVAppsCarPlaygamesGolden MasteriCloud activation lockiMaciOS 8ios gamesiphone 6iPhone 6 caseiPhone 6 PlusiPhone 6 plus caseiPhone caseOS XOS X YosemitePayPalremote appretina displaySteve JobsyosemiteSat, 04 Oct 2014 00:30:00 +0000J Keirn-Swanson20728 at http://www.maclife.comThe Week's Best Deals for Your Mac and iOS Device, September 25http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/weeks_best_deals_your_mac_and_ios_device_september_25
<!--paging_filter--><p>This week's refurbs, specifically in the MacBook Air range, are really a matter of horse trading. Bigger screen or faster flash-storage? Newer model versus nearly the same older, bigger model with only a tiny bump on the price tag? What's your priority, because we have slight spec bumps and big spec bumps and it's all a matter of what you need versus what you want. Also this week: the 2013 Mac Pro!</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/weeks_best_deals_your_mac_and_ios_device_september_25#commentsGalleryBelkinDealsExternal BatteryiMaciPadiPad caseiPad Miniipad mini caseipad mini with retina displayiPad mini with retina display caseiphoneiphone 6iPhone 6 caseiPhone caseiPhone wallet caselife proofMacBookmacbook airmacbook prootterboxrefurbRefurbishedrefurbsretina displaysalesStyluswallet caseweekly dealswind dvd ripperThu, 25 Sep 2014 16:36:51 +0000J Keirn-Swanson20684 at http://www.maclife.comThe Week's Best Deals for Your Mac and iOS Device, August 28http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/weeks_best_deals_your_mac_and_ios_device_august_28
<!--paging_filter--><p>While we all wait with baited breath for what Cupertino will release soon, soon, soon, here's a few deals to distract ourselves. Whether you're in the market for a Mac or for an accessory for your device, there's always plenty of savings around these parts. So let's hook you up with some of these deals right now.</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/weeks_best_deals_your_mac_and_ios_device_august_28#commentsGallerybluetoothBluetooth speakerDealsExternal BatteryiMaciphoneiphone battery caseiPhone caselightning cableMacBookmacbook airmacbook proMacBook Pro with Retina DisplayrefurbRefurbishedrefurbsretina displaysalesweekly dealswireless speakerThu, 28 Aug 2014 15:50:59 +0000J Keirn-Swanson20542 at http://www.maclife.comThe Week's Best Deals for Your Mac and iOS Device, August 7http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/weeks_best_deals_your_mac_and_ios_device_august_7
<!--paging_filter--><p>Every so often our Weekly Deals focus on great Macs that don't crack the $1K threshold. While a few of the more powerful machines just tiptoe over that line this week, we've still got plenty of great machines that you can nab at impressive discounts. Plus, we've got an assortment of cases in our biggest, cheapest deal of the week, in colors to satisfy most every taste. So let's have a look, shall we?</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/weeks_best_deals_your_mac_and_ios_device_august_7#commentsGallerybluetooth keyboardbluetooth keyboard caseBluetooth speakerDealsExternal Batteryfrugal lifeiMaciPadiPad AiriPad caseiPad keyboardipad keyboard caseiPad Miniiphone battery caseiPhone casekeyboard caseLightninglightning cableLightning to 30-pin AdapterMacBookmacbook airmacbook proMacsretina displaysalesweekly dealsThu, 07 Aug 2014 19:14:29 +0000J Keirn-Swanson20439 at http://www.maclife.comThe Week's Best Deals for Your Mac and iOS Device, June 12http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/weeks_best_deals_your_mac_and_ios_device_june_12
<!--paging_filter--><p>We hear rumors that Apple's got some refreshes in mind for the iMac and code in Yosemite certainly is suggestive. But if you can't wait, we have some great deals on some iMacs and on a jumbo display that'll give you that iMac feeling if you picked up one of our highlighted refurb Mac minis in previous weeks, but there aren't any of those cute little refurbs in the deals of this week, as they're gone for now. Never fear, we've got other options, plenty of those.</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/weeks_best_deals_your_mac_and_ios_device_june_12#commentsGalleryAirport ExpressAirPort ExtremeBluetooth speakerCinema DisplayDealsiMaciPadiPad AiriPad Miniipad mini with retina displayiphoneiphone 5iphone 5 caseiPhone 5Ciphone 5C caseiPhone 5Siphone 5S caseiPhone caseiphone caseslightning cableMacBookmacbook airmacbook proPrice DroprefurbRefurbishedrefurbsretina displaysalesspeakerTime Capsuleweekly dealsweekly saleswireless speakerThu, 12 Jun 2014 18:00:55 +0000J Keirn-Swanson20131 at http://www.maclife.comFaster iMacs Rumored for Next Week (But No Retina Display)http://www.maclife.com/article/news/faster_imacs_rumored_next_week_no_retina_display
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/21.5imac_27imac_34r_grnvlly_flower_print_620px.png" alt="21.5-inch iMac" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>Apple didn't announce any new hardware at WWDC 2014, but the rumored iMac refresh may still be on the way, and could arrive as early as next week.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2014/06/11/updated-imacs-faster-processors-next-week/" target="_blank">MacRumors reported Tuesday</a> (via <a href="http://www.macg.co/materiel/2014/06/de-nouveaux-imac-attendus-la-semaine-prochaine-82559" target="_blank">MacGeneration</a>) that Apple is preparing a spec bump for the iMac line, which is said to include "faster processors and lower prices" rather than any design changes.<br /><br />According to sources who accurately predicated the MacBook Air refresh in April, Thunderbolt 2 could also make its way onto the iMac, which is not expected to launch on Tuesday (as is usual for Apple), but rather later in the week.<br /><br />Unfortunately, this is unlikely to be the iMac that Retina Display fans have been waiting for. Despite evidence in the initial OS X Yosemite developer beta that Retina iMacs are on the way, such systems are widely expected to sell at a premium, while the current iMac line moves toward lower price points.<br /><br />The report also claims Apple will bump the iMac speed by 100MHz across the board, with the 27-inch model featuring 3.3 GHZ i5-4690, 3.5 GHz i5-4690, or 3.6 GHz i7-4790; likewise, the 21.5-inch model is said to feature 3.0 GHz i5-4590S or 3.2 GHz i5-4790S processor speeds.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/faster_imacs_rumored_next_week_no_retina_display#commentsNews21.5-inch iMac27-inch iMacApple Inc.iMacmacbook airmodel refreshOS X Yosemiteretina displayspec bumpMacWed, 11 Jun 2014 13:24:20 +0000J.R. Bookwalter20123 at http://www.maclife.comThe Week's Best Deals for Your Mac and iOS Device, May 1http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/weeks_best_deals_your_mac_and_ios_device_may_1
<!--paging_filter--><p>The latest iPad and iPad mini models hitting the refurb counter is still big news if you're looking to pick up a tablet and hoping to save some dough, so we have some great deals to start things off in that realm. Then a regular member of the weekly deals, the MacBook Air sees some serious price drop action. Plus, what should you do with the money you save? Why, buy gear for your new devices of course.</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/weeks_best_deals_your_mac_and_ios_device_may_1#commentsGalleryapplebattery casechargecardDealsdockearbudsExternal BatteryiMaciPadiPad AiriPad caseiPad Miniipad mini with retina displayiphoneiphone 5iphone 5 battery caseiphone 5 caseiPhone 5Siphone 5s battery caseiphone 5S caseiPhone caselightning cableMacMacBookmacbook airmacbook proMessenger bagrefurbRefurbishedrefurbsretina displaysalesspeakerspeaker dockwallet caseweekly dealsThu, 01 May 2014 20:25:41 +0000J Keirn-Swanson19874 at http://www.maclife.comiPad mini with Retina Display Reviewhttp://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/ipad_mini_retina_display_review
<!--paging_filter--><p>Over the past year, if you asked iPad mini owners what one thing they’d change about the device, odds were good that they’d respond with “add a Retina display.” Well, they obviously weren’t unheard, as the second generation of Apple’s scaled-down (in size, but not usefulness) tablet does exactly that—but not only that. This year’s new iPad mini with Retina display (see, it’s right there in the name) melds the superb design and build quality of the original with that long-awaited high-res screen and the heart of an iPhone 5s for one fantastic portable computing powerhouse.</p><p>The first thing you’ll notice upon picking up the iPad mini is the design, which is, in a word, excellent. But if you’ve spent any time with last year’s model, you’ll already know that. This device is easily among the finest that Apple has ever designed, with a sturdy, quality feel and refined edges. Plus it just looks fantastic no matter if you go with the space grey or silver finish.</p><p><img src="/files/u338318/2014/04/ipadminiwretina_620.png" width="620" height="632" /></p><p>Switch on the device and the real magic begins. That’s when you see the real draw here: the Retina display. If you’ve previously used a Retina display-equipped iPad, you have an idea of what to expect here, but there’s still something about seeing all those pixels (3.1 million, the same as the larger iPad Air) squeezed onto the smaller 7.9-inch screen. Everything, especially text, simply pops off the screen with nary a jagged edge in sight.</p><p>We tested the iPad mini with Retina display with a diverse slate of apps, from iOS 7’s stock offerings to the likes of Flipboard and, of course, plenty of games, and the display performed exceptionally. It was easy on the eyes, bright, colorful, and sharp. It was only when we performed some A/B comparisons between the mini and the new iPad Air that we noticed the former comes up a little short in terms of color saturation when compared to its larger sibling (and even the iPhone 5s). Even noting this, however, when we returned to using the mini exclusively the decreased saturation (and slight drop in maximum brightness) wasn’t enough to harm the experience.</p><p>Speaking of experience, the mini’s new 64-bit A7 processor, borrowed from the iPhone 5s, handled everything—from iLife apps to the latest, greatest games—we threw at it with infinite finesse. This is one small yet immensely powerful device that’s more than up to the needs of casual and power users.</p><p>After putting the iPad mini with Retina display though its paces, we came away duly impressed. This is exactly what we’d been wanting, plus some. If you’ve been eagerly awaiting a high-res iPad mini, we can say without reservation that your ship has come in—and it’s a hot-looking speedboat, at that.</p><p><strong>The bottom line.</strong> While its display isn’t quite as vibrant as the iPad Air’s, the second-generation iPad mini is still a fantastic device packing blistering processing speed and a gorgeous screen in one petite, flawlessly designed package.</p><fieldset class="fieldgroup group-the-bottom-line"><legend>Review Synopsis</legend><div class="field field-type-text field-field-product">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Product:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>iPad mini with Retina Display</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-company">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Company:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Apple </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-contact">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Contact:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://www.apple.com">www.apple.com</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-price">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Price:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
$399 (16GB), $499 (32GB), $599 (64GB), $699 (128GB, tested); $529-$829 for models with LTE connectivity </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-positives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Positives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Finally, a small form-factor iPad with Retina display! Unmatched build quality. Fast A7 processor for a first-class experience.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-negatives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Negatives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Display is slightly less bright than the iPad Air. Colors look washed out when compared to iPad Air and iPhone 5s/5c.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/ipad_mini_retina_display_review#commentsReviews7.9-inch iPadAppleHardwareiPadiPad Miniretina displayTabletTue, 29 Apr 2014 20:40:13 +0000Randy Nelson19858 at http://www.maclife.com